Simcoe North MPP Jill Dunlop delivers her first maiden speech

Published on August 01, 2018

QUEEN’S PARK – MPP Jill Dunlop delivered her first maiden speech on August 1st, 2018 in legislature at Queen’s Park where she highlighted Simcoe North’s culturally and geographically diverse landscape. Dunlop proudly stated that her riding was a quintessential representation of small town rural Ontario and was thankful that the constituents of Simcoe North selected her to be their new voice at Queen’s Park.

“I am […] very proud that within our electoral district are two first nations communities,” MPP Dunlop stated. “These communities are the Chippewas of Rama First Nation and Beausoleil First Nation on Christian Island […] I was honoured to celebrate the sanctioning of the new Custom Head Dress for the Beausoleil First Nations. The head dress serves as a significant symbol of strength, bravery, and individuality. While the head dress is certainly beautiful, it most strongly represents the virtue of traditions and customs.” Dunlop stated that she gains valuable knowledge from everyone she talks to and thanked residents for being so gracious and engaging in their open dialogue.

Dunlop also spoke of the number of primary employment industries in her riding including agriculture, tourism, the service industry and small manufacturing. She said she was looking forward to promoting and supporting the skilled trades and small businesses in her riding of Simcoe North to create better jobs for constituents.

During her election, MPP Dunlop stated she had several meetings and conversations with residents across her riding regarding the skilled trades shortage and that the issue was impacting all trades people, in a wide-variety of skilled trades related businesses. In response to this message, she tabled a motion calling for government to respond to this important issue.

“I was thrilled that this motion was given support by our government, and I look forward to collaborating with the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities, and the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade to build on this tremendous policy opportunity.” She stated that because of the positive response by government, many skilled trades organizations contacted her expressing incredible enthusiasm for the future of skilled trades in Simcoe North and in Ontario.

Dunlop also recognized local artistic talent from her riding including artist Charles Pachter, whose iconic work includes Murals of Hockey and famous images of the Royal family, moose and maple leaf flag, and Gordon Lightfoot, who recently attended Mariposa Folk Festival, and highlighted the importance of art and culture in her community.

MPP Dunlop recognized her family for their commitment to the communities of Simcoe North and specifically highlighted her mother, Jane Dunlop, and her father, Garfield Dunlop, for their commitment to public service and for inspiring her love of politics. As the first female representative for Simcoe North, she says she aims to show other young women, including her daughters Rachel, Karley, and Madison, that they can have a strong voice and make history too. Thanking her partner Steve Cartwright, a sergeant with the Ontario Provincial Police for his support, she stated she was also thankful that government was committed to providing the resources and training to keep police officers safe and reduce violence. “We will listen to, and respect, our police officers and front line workers.”

“It’s not the government that makes Ontario great”, Dunlop said. “Ontario is great because of its people. Our people are smart, kind, and above all, striving to create a better life for themselves and their families […] I am proud to be part of a government that has already proven we will keep our promise and listen to the people of Ontario and frontline workers to make life more affordable!”